One of my regular rants is toward people who make the opponents of their opinions and political or religious views out to be evil villains. This is a sign of total ignorance and usually blatant hypocrisy as well. We hear a lot about “tolerance” which has become such a cliché that most of us cannot even tolerate the word, itself, anymore. Tolerance (just so we can start out on the same page) is defined as “a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward opinions and practices that differ from one’s own.” It doesn’t mean agreeing with the opinions of others and it doesn’t mean that you cannot stand in opposition to the differing opinions and agendas of others. But it does mean that you allow and accept the fact that there will be those that disagree with you and they have a right to do so. I often wonder, has the Christian community that firmly believes that homosexuality is a sin, abandoned their principle of “love the sin, hate the sinner?” Or is it just that the homosexual community sees any opposition to their lifestyle (even a loving one) as equivalent to bigotry and hatred? I would say it is absolutely BOTH. The picture attached is a prime example of the ignorance and intolerance I speak of. A homosexual individual, one also claiming Christian faith, places a bumper sticker on his vehicle to express the fact that he abandoned his support of a (soon-to-be) president. Not because that president changed his position on homosexual issues but because he chose to associate with someone who disagrees with his position on homosexual issues, Pastor Rick Warren. Is it an appropriate response by one touting themself as “tolerant” to demonize (literally) what is supposedly his brother in Christ? We, as a people, are just so very wretched, ignorant and pathetic. And we are so blinded by our own views of the world that we cannot even see how pathetic and selfish we really are. We do not see truth and love as it is but rather our own distorted version of truth and love (which always places us at the center of our own universe)….and this coming from my view that love does not necessarily equal acceptance of all things.

After my initial post about food prices I decided to keep a running tally of where I have eaten and how much it costs. I will start with a few recent trips out. I will also include the price for the same thing at the grocery store. The prices are based on similar items to what was served.  I usually shop at Kroger so I am using their prices for whole items (jar of olives) and then dividing it by servings and rounding up. I’m sure that is less than accurate but I am just trying to make a general point.

Jason’s Deli-I happen to think Jason’s deli sucks. I have been ruined by having to eat too many of their crappy boxed lunches. BUT I wanted a salad. I ordered the salad bar (I eat 1/4 of a romaine lettuce head, 3 slices of cucumber, 2 cherry tomatoes, some cheese, 8 or so olives and croutons) and the husband got a sandwich (bread, mustard a cheese and meat), Ruffles potato chips and a pickle spear. We both got drinks. This was $18. And remember you do not have to tip at Jason’s Deli. Lettuce people! I ate lettuce! KSP: 6.00

Applebee’s-we both got a burger and one soda with tip; $25.00. If I pay this much for burgers then I should AT LEAST be able to get a soda too at this price. KSP $7.25 

Money is a big issue with me. I have lived the last three years in a desperate attempt to get out of debt. Don’t think I was pinching every penny. I still spent money on eating out with friends and buying gifts for loved ones. But for these last few years my entire wardrobe has been bought off of the Target clearance rack, I learned how to shop grocery stores for their best deals, I rented my movies from the .99 kiosks at Tom Thumb and I decorated my house by vigilantly searching for items being sold below their value (resale shops and estate sales). But this “Get out of debt” campaign has caused me to appreciate the value of my dollars. It has also caused me to be aware of how I am being totally taken out there in retail world. I love the Gap and it is one of the few stores I can buy off the rack and wear without having to see my tailor but even these middle-of-the-road stores have seriously decreased in quality. I have bought clearance items because I’ve had to and now I buy clearance because full price is entirely too much for the quality of the items being sold. While it is one of my favorite items, a shirt I bought off the Gap clearance rack would be complete highway robbery at its original $18. First of all, why is any T-shirt $18? But when you can hold it up and see right through it, then it might be too much even at the $6 I paid for it. If I have to buy an undershirt to wear under my t-shirt (which technically was birthed as an undershirt) to keep from being scandalous then don’t ask me to pay in the double digits.

            Food prices are on the rise as well. I am flabbergasted at what I pay for food. We have had to eat out more than usual lately for various reasons. I generally choose a restaurant based on where I think I might find reasonable prices and still have at least a few healthy options. I’m usually wrong on both accounts. I understand that prices go up but I can usually tally up what my meal would costs at the grocery store (which is probably higher priced than what a food joint pays to buy in bulk) and become shocked at just how much I am overpaying. Restaurants know they can give you more food and then charge you twice as much. So now we are all broke and fat. Maybe think about how much value you find in your meal (and think outside of just quantity). Then think about how much you would pay to make that meal yourself. Then think about how much the restaurant should charge to make a profit. Then look at your bill. Then remember you still need to leave a generous tip.

            I could decide not to buy clothes or eat out but that really isn’t going to happen. Instead, I have decided if I am going to pay for something I am going to pay a higher price for actual quality. If I eat out it will be at nice restaurants that charge higher prices for quality ingredients instead of places that give me too much food so they can justify charging double. If I buy clothes I will buy well made clothes produced outside of third world sweat shops. This probably means I will eat out less and wear the same outfit too much but at least I can put value back in my dollars.

I am reading this book called Crunch Cons. Basically, about those who don’t fit in either stereotypical left or right wing groups… generally morally and politically conservative but also think conservatism extends to environmental, social and economic matters as well that cause the typical right wingers to think you’re a liberal… or a hippie. I cannot wholly recommend it as I have not finished it but so far it seems like a good read whatever way you lean politically. Anyhoo, I got to looking around my house to see if I am truly conservative. I was delighted to realize that most everything in my house is recycled. All furniture is family, estate sale, antique store, craigslist or freecycle finds. The only new items I have are a few picture frames, kitchen utensils, bedding/linens and a piece of wall décor. Although I must admit that this happens for several reason beyond political conviction A)I am cheap but like things made of higher quality and B) I happen to like mid-century stuff which, of course, is old and must come used.

This is great and terrible. I just found a new resource to feed my obsession!

I was listening to the radio this morning. They were playing clips of Don Imus. They played his “Well, there you go” comment from him talking about Adam “Pacman” Jones; an NFL player that has been arrested numerous times for beating strippers, spitting on people, causing riots that injure people, drug charges etc. He asked Warner Wolf participating in this radio show conversation, “What color is he?” When Wolf’s response was given that Jones is “African-American”, Imus said, “Well, there you go.”  For most listening that would be interpreted as Imus saying that his (Jones’) “blackness” explains his criminal behavior. The clip I heard this morning was Imus explaining that his comment was “sarcastic” as to say (paraphrase) “here is this guy who has been arrested so many times for no other reason than because he is black.”

I think, from what I have heard, there is little doubt that this Jones fellow is guilty. So from where I stand it looks like Imus is trying to cover up his verbal boo boo. Understandable. But the only punishment Jones has endured for his crimes is a one year suspension from the NFL. I ask, if Jones cannot or will not be held accountable for his crimes then why is society up in arms over Imus’ comments? I really don’t know much about Imus or his character and I do not listen to his radio show. Call me crazy, but I happen to think assuming someone’s race is an explanation for criminal behavior (while deplorable) is still not nearly as bad as what Jones has been accused of. As long as you are famous and you can make other people a lot of money it really doesn’t matter what you do or say because you’ll never have to play or be judged by the rules that the rest of us civilized people must adhere to. If the NFL thinks Jones is still worthy to play football despite his many sins then I guess Imus is still worthy to be a controversial radio host? Where is this line of accountability being drawn and for whom?

We hear a lot about the war. Everyone has their opinions on this war. I do believe that you can be against the war and still support the troops but this weekend I experienced a conversation that I found totally repulsive. And that feeling has stuck to me. I sat at a dinner party with a former US Marine who had served in Iraq. We were discussing all the things he experienced; just little stuff like the spiders, the heat and things of that nature. He told us a few things that I found very compelling; very touching human stories. He started by telling us about how things changed during the course of his time in Iraq. He recalled a time when he first got there and he accidently glanced at a woman for a split second. Women are not to be acknowledged and because he did so haphazardly glance toward her she was beaten in front of him because it was her fault that she had been acknowledged. He stood there not being able to do anything about it. Later, once women were given rights, he could intervene in that type of situation.

As the conversation continued he was talking about how the “enemy” did not engage in ethical warfare. He experienced having an injured individual surrender. Because he was injured they are required to render aid. So he tells another “Go cuff him so we can take him to a hospital. He is shot.” The other Marine goes to cuff him and the “surrendered” pulls a grenade killing them both.

The most compelling moment was him telling about people aiming at them with car bombs. They shoot once to tell the driver to stop and then they shoot to kill. Realizing that they do this, the driver would include his family in the car in order to cause hesitation in the Marine. He says, “I can see them through my scope. I can see a man driving full force at us and I can see his wife and kids screaming in the car. What do I do? Do I kill a family or do I let them blow us all up? What do I do?”

Later I was talking with another dinner guest who overheard this conversation. He says, “I couldn’t stand listening to that Marine talk all heroic about the war.” And I literally became sick to my stomach. Here there is this guy who was there, lived it, saw it first hand and was talking about his life experiences; very profound life experiences. This other guy was so self-righteous in his anti-war stance that he couldn’t even understand the value of such a human experience. He had no respect for this man who went over there and laid his life on the line day after day, had to deal with gut-wrenching moral dilemmas, and watched his friends get blown up before his eyes. Not to mention the lasting mental/emotional effects that would have on a person.

I really could not believe my ears that someone who probably sits behind a desk with a computer and AC all day could speak with such complete and total disdain in their voice regarding someone who had the guts to serve their country. I was completely disgusted. Despite my sarcasm I am generally all roses and sunshine in my outlook on life. But ever since then all I can think is how terrible this world is and how wretched we all really are.  

I got his on MySpace this morning. I responded for my own personal amusement. What the hell has happened to the world? I know there is nothing new under the sun but the fact that this crap is so commonplace really repulses me. Is there anyone left that cannot be categorized as “low character” anymore?!? Anybody? Hello?!?

 My MySpace proposition:

So…I know this is probably a long shot or seem like I’m kidding, but I’m not. haha. Anyway, I’m just ready to do something fun this summer and want to find a girl that is clean, fun, and smart and is up for a DISCRETE, fun summer hook up. Nothing complicated or weird. Just fun for both of us, and no strings need be attached if that’s an issue for you.

 Anyway, I’m 6′2″ 195 lbs, athletic build, dirty blonde hair, blue eyes, cute. I’m 26/m in Arlington, TX. I’m pretty easy going and like talking about just about anything. I’ve got a naughty side if you’re interested. But I don’t let that out very often.

 You are definitely cute, so write me back if you’re interested and we can exchange some more pics and talk and see what we think. Hope to hear from you!

signed: name removed

My Response:

Hey, Name removed,

   I would like to assume that you are joking, but incase this is a serious proposition; let me give you a few pieces of advice.

1) A girl that will hook up with you over MySpace will never be “clean” or “smart”

 2) As you can see if you read my profile I am married so I have all the built-in, naughty, summer fun I could want.

 3) If you’re advertising your “naughty side” to perfect strangers on MySpace then that cannot qualify as “I don’t let that out very often”

 4) If you are “6′2″ 195 lbs, athletic build, dirty blonde hair, blue eyes, cute.” then you should have a perfectly fine time finding a “clean, smart, and fun” girl willing to listen to you “talk about just about anything” and you might even convince her to explore that naughty side you have. But as soon as she finds out you’re whoring yourself out over MySpace I would image if she is “clean” or smart” she will hit the road.

 5) Please understand that your sexual fantasies will NEVER EVER, EVER happen in real life the way they play out in your head. The world just doesn’t work that way.

 Good luck in your romantic pursuits!

Lately we have had a lot of political debate. Hillary, Obama, McCain, Ron Paul and so on. I think my biggest problem is that it seems that we are all sitting around waiting on our government to do for us what we are unwilling to do for ourselves; but to quote John F. Kennedy, “ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” And this from a democrat, no less.  However, it would benefit us greatly to live by this famous command. America is still the greatest country; we still offer endless opportunity for better life. People across the oceans and borders are still trying to improve their life’s quality by coming here. Still, I am constantly burdened by the bellyaching of my fellow countrymen.

We, as of today, are not technically in a recession and yet people talk as though it is the second Great Depression.  I had a lady tell me that her daughter thinks it is so bad here that she plans on moving to Mexico. Mexico! I think the fact that we have 13 million people crossing the border to come HERE illegally (and work for less than minimum wage) should make it apparent that moving to Mexico to improve your financial situation is plain idiotic. In the next sentence she made the point that “we could buy smaller, more economical cars to help with rising gas prices, but who wants to do that?” Then please tell me why you are complaining. Oh, becasue it is easier just to blame George Bush. ultimately what you are telling me is that you don’t want to change your lifestyle? Well, I guess the folks at Exxon don’t want to change theirs either, or that of their employees. So when crude prices rise then, naturally, so does your gas bill. If you cannot make the sacrifice then why would you expect the corporations to do it for you?

            Universal healthcare is the next big complaint. It is so terrible that the average person cannot afford healthcare so you tell me that my tax dollars should go to take care of those unfortunate people. Are Americans healthy? Not usually. Is it the lack of healthcare coverage? I happen to think not. Americans are FAT! Americans eat cheap, low quality food stripped of nutrients. We spend time hurried and stressed and then only break to spend hours with our beloved electronic devices. Is it any wonder we are ill? And instead of considering a change of lifestyle, we run to the latest prescription drug that costs money we don’t have. I resent the fact that the only proposed solution to this healthcare issue is taking money from MY paycheck to pay for healthcare costs that are the result of others not taking responsibility for their own health. Again, if you’re not going to make the sacrifice, why should I?

            Abortion, the environment, social programs, etc, etc. All of these issues really go back to one thing; personal responsibility. When you have a country that embraces convenience before health, temporal pleasure over morality, personal victimization over ethics and hard work then you have…well, exactly what we have now. As a nation we have to stop expecting help from the government or anyone else. We have to take total responsibility for every aspect of our own lives and go out of our way to help our fellow man (and I don’t mean with government funded programs. I mean WE have to help). We have to acknowledge and accept responsibility for our own choices. And we MUST, we MUST, realize how tremendously blessed and truly rich we actually are. So please ask yourself what YOU can do for your country. At the very least, ask what you can do for yourself.

Yesterday we were at the grocery store waiting in line with our buggy of food. This girl with only a handful of stuff asked the husband, “Can I go in front of you? I’ll give you twenty bucks. I’m kind of in a hurry. I need to break a $100.” The husband said, “Yes.” I some how missed the part about “I’ll give you twenty bucks.” She gets her stuff paid for and she turns around and ACTUALLY hands us a $20 bill. She gave us $20 JUST so that she could cut in  line. And then gave me a hard time about taking it back. I was just like, “I am not gonna take money just to let you cut in line when that is just common courtesy.” It’s like when your mom tries to give you money for something you should do anyway and you’re trying not to take it. I was stuffing a $20 bill in the pocket of a total stranger trying to get her to take it back. Finally she did.